Chapter 37
In the dayssince the Harvest Moon Festival debacle and the subsequent fallout, I’d been swamped with frantically trying to search for a new job while still working at the Moonstruck—I needed the paycheck, after all—and also packing up my apartment.
But even with all that was going on, my thoughts were still consumed by Jasper. Joking and laughing. Arguing and teasing. Stealing glances and touches. Kissing… oh, the kissing. All these memories were stuck on a constant repeat loop in my brain. No matter how hard I tried to distract myself with other things, these memories tormented me nonstop.
Maybe I deserve to be tormented.
I should have told him what he meant to me when I had the chance—and there had been so many chances.
The last time we were together, when everything was falling apart. We argued. Then my brain must have gone off-line for a moment, like my cell phone does when driving through a dead zone. When the signal came back, I wasn’t really certain what happened, but Jasper was looking at me with such pain in his eyes, it tore at my heart. Then he left. All I knew for sure was that I had messed up and hurt the one I loved. And I hadn’t seen him since.
I’d interviewed for several jobs. None really excited me. But they were far away from here, and right now, that seemed important. If I couldn’t have Jasper, I didn’t want there to be any chance of running into him. My poor heart couldn’t handle that.
Tina Quince called a meeting to go over how the restaurant had done while Jasper and I had been running it, and also talk about how we would transition out.
Not only did I have to face the people who had just fired me, but also the man I loved and let down. I’d rather stand naked in front of a firing squad of nasty food critics and picky toddlers armed with rotten vegetables.
Come on, AJ. Put on your big girl panties. You can do this.
The meeting was in the dining room of the Moonstruck, just like last time. And even though I was tempted to skip the pastries and coffee out of spite, I just couldn’t do it. A good chef never shows up empty-handed. Instead, I expressed my resentment in the form of day-old bran muffins.
The gathering was the same as last time. Tina, Rich and Mr. Holden were seated at one side of the table, and Jasper on the other. Jasper looked good enough to eat in a crisp white button-down shirt and tie with a gray suit jacket. He was always drool-worthy, but today he looked even more so.
Jasper took the lead, like the businessman that he was. “I’ve put together a packet describing in detail the state of the Moonstruck when we took over, the changes Chef Scott and I implemented during our time here, and the current financial status.” He handed folders to everyone. “As you can see, the Moonstruck was in dire straits when we got here. If business would have continued as it was, it would have been bankrupt in less than a year.”
Tina gasped and scanned the stats Jasper listed. “I had no idea. How could it have been this bad? Dad made it seem like it was doing well.”
“He may not have realized it himself. His bookkeeping skills were, shall I say, a little to be desired. It took me some time to sort through all of his papers and get a handle on what was really going on. I’ve also included a valuation of the business based on those initial numbers.” Jasper moved to the next section. “Chef Scott and I worked together to add new menu items, added social media presence as well as promotion in the community. In the short time that we’ve been working here, business has increased by 60%. You can also see how we have improved the bottom line.”
“I have to say, I’m impressed. You two have done amazing things here, and it shows.” Tina admitted as she scanned the papers.
“There is one more thing I want to bring up. I want to apologize for the misunderstanding about Chef Scott and myself. And tell you the whole story. We met at a gala shortly before your dad had his stroke. At the gala, a woman who had been stalking me approached, and I asked AJ to help me get rid of her. We made it seem like we were engaged, so she would leave me alone. We never thought anyone else would ever hear about it. Somehow the rumor followed us here, and at first we corrected people. But when it became the ultimatum for getting this restaurant, or losing it, we decided to play along. The entire thing is my fault, and I take full responsibility.”
“No, it was a joint decision. You can’t take the blame.” I interjected, not wanting him to take the fall for something we agreed on together.
Jasper shook his head. “Uh-uh. This whole debacle started because I tried to take the easy way out. I could have called the cops on the woman stalking me, but I thought if she believed I was with someone else, she would go away.”
“Yeah, but?—”
He held a hand up to stop me. “AJ’s cooking is what has really turned this restaurant around. It would be a mistake to lose her. I’ve found another restaurateur who is willing to invest, manage the business end but also allow Chef Scott full control of the menu and kitchen. I strongly recommend selling to them as a way to keep your parents’ restaurant going for years to come.”
“But what about you?” I asked, my voice fraught with emotion.
His gaze softened as he shifted his attention to me. “As you pointed out, I have enough on my plate with my helping my dad. I will be happy to step aside and let you continue to work your magic on this place.”
“Well, I have a different proposal prepared. I have found a new chef to take my place and partner with Jasper to make this the best farm-to-table restaurant in the Midwest. Chef Tremaine has extensive experience in this type of restaurant, and started a similar one in a small town outside of Chicago. This restaurant has received awards and national attention. A culinary magazine listed it as one of the top ten farm-to-table restaurants in the country.”
“And this chef wants to come here?” Tina asked.
“He is interested and willing to interview. It would make this restaurant a branch of his original one. But would bring tons of business to this area.”
Rich held a hand out as if cutting through the confusion with the blade of his hand. “So let me get this straight… You both have made proposals to bow out and have arranged for a new partner for the other one to buy the restaurant with. Why would you do that?”
I kept my head held high and spoke with confidence. “It’s the best plan for making sure the Moonstruck continues.”
Rich looked between Jasper and me, then slowly shook his head. “I’m not buying it. There has to be more to it than that.”
Tina closed the packet and scrutinized us as well. “I agree. Why would you do that for someone you were just faking a partnership with?”
Jasper cleared his throat. “Initially, I just wanted to buy this place for my own agenda. But working with AJ, I realized how talented she is. She deserves the chance to make the Moonstruck into the place she has dreamed of. I believe in her. I hope you will give her the chance to keep your parents’ legacy going.”
Tears filled my eyes. After all that had happened, Jasper was still fighting for my dream, something nobody but Marianne had ever done. My heart filled with love for him, while aching for what would never be. “Wait a minute. Jasper is the one with the brilliant mind for business. I couldn’t have done this without him.” I paused and fingered the corners of the pages in front of me. “I still don’t want to do this without him. That’s why I decided to get a job elsewhere.” I pulled a paper from the pocket of my smock. “This is my resignation and two weeks’ notice. I’ve accepted a job in Denver.”
Jasper’s eyes widened and he dropped his pen. “You’re leaving?”
I couldn’t look at him and stood to leave. “I better get back to the kitchen.”
“Wait.” Tina said with tears in her eyes. “You two remind me so much of my parents in their younger days. The numbers you’ve shown us are really impressive, Jasper. The two of you have taken a restaurant that was on the brink of failure and turned it around in just a couple short months. And seeing how the two of you are together—each willing to sacrifice your dreams for the other. Well, I think we might have overreacted. Even though you’re not engaged, you seem to make a great team together. Would you consider continuing your partnership and buying the Moonstruck together?”
I froze, looking for some hint of what Jasper thought of this. I wanted to jump at this chance, knowing it was everything I wanted. The restaurant and Jasper. But mostly Jasper.
After the way I’d hurt him, I held back, not wanting to be rejected in front of all these people.
Our eyes met in silence for what felt like an eternity. Finally Jasper spoke. “That’s a great offer, and I really appreciate it. But I realize now, it wouldn’t be enough.”
My heart fell to the floor like a glass bowl and smashed into a million pieces. I bit my lip to keep it from trembling and the tears from falling. I turned away from them to retreat to the kitchen.
A hand grasped my arm and stopped me. Jasper pulled me to look at him. “A business partnership with you wouldn’t be enough for me anymore.”
My breath caught and my mouth fell open. Does this mean—? No, I must be mistaken.
“Princess, I’d gladly give up my dream for you to have yours, and not just because it’s a smart business decision. But because I love you. I’d do anything to make you happy, because just being with you does that for me.” His hands clasped mine and he searched my eyes for a response.
And just like that, my shattered heart came back together—like a botched recipe that turned into an unexpected masterpiece. Or a broken vase that became a stunning mosaic.
My voice quivered as I squeaked out a response. “You love me?”
He nodded. “I always thought love was for other people. Not for me. I didn’t have time, and couldn’t imagine being tied down to one person. But Aurora, ever since you were seated beside me that night, you have turned my life upside down. In the best possible way. Living a life with you would be the ultimate adventure. Instead of just being my business partner, will you marry me?”
“You better not be pranking me.”
He put his hand to his chest. “Ouch. You wound me.” His smile softened to one that melted my insides to mush. His love for me shone in the intensity of his gaze. “I’m deadly serious. And also dying for an answer here.”
“How about we do both?” I pulled the chain with the ring he had given me out of my shirt. “Maybe you can put this on my finger now. I don’t care if it’s real or not.”
“Actually, I might have misled you about that as well. It’s real, Princess. I bought it just for you in the hopes that someday you’d wear it for real.”
I stared at the gorgeous ring as if for the first time. Stunned. He bought this right after we met? Back when we were fighting all the time? After I plastered him with mashed potatoes? I couldn”t believe it. I shifted my gaze back to his face to figure out if he was joking or not.
But there was no laughter on his face. His caramel eyes were full of tenderness, love, and vulnerability. “I’m sorry I lied about that. If you knew it was real, you would have given it back, and I desperately wanted you to have it. Still do.”
Holding my hand out, the diamond caught a beam of light and sparkled radiantly. How could I have thought this was fake? Warmth moved through me at his loving gesture. He loved me. My heart felt like it was beating out of my chest like a cartoon.
“Does that mean you love me? I kinda need to hear you say it, Princess.”
“Yes, Jasper Rhodes, I absolutely love you, and yes, I’ll marry you and be your business partner.”
He picked me up and spun me around. Then he kissed me. All the love I had for him poured into that kiss. He must have done the same because the intensity of this kiss was off the charts.
I vaguely heard Tina clapping and cheering in the background. “This would make Mom and Dad so happy. The perfect way to continue their legacy.”
Mr. Holden coughed, stuffed the packet into his briefcase, and got up to leave. “Alright. I’ll draw up papers for the sale. We’ll use the numbers you provided for the valuation, if that’s alright with everyone.”
Jasper just waved them on, refusing to break our kiss.
How did I get so lucky? My dream of owning and running my own restaurant was coming true, with my real-life Prince Charming by my side. Most importantly, we were getting our happily ever after.
Maybe my fairy godmother knew what she was doing after all.